Steve Augeri Blog

And Another Thing...

2011-09-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

For some odd reason, the wind had chosen to direct itself to blow directly over our home in Bensonhurst Brooklyn. Bensonhurst, notorious for its Mobsters, Saturday Night Fever and the greatest Pizza on the planet. Not The Bronx, Not Queens, Not Staten Island. Not to the left or to the right. Directly above my head as I searched the heavens for a answer. The cars parked on the narrow one way street which we lived at the time were covered in ash. On occasion you would come across an entire 8x11 piece of paper from the offices that had blown clear across the east river as if to send a message or a reminder

After reuniting with my wife Lydia and son Adam, Aunt Rosie and cousin Andy and after exchanging a whirlwind of emotions and information between each other it was off to the Hospital. Mom had fallen and broken hear arm. Maimonides Hospital was between our humble apartment and ground zero. As I entered her room to to console her with hugs and kisses only an Italian son could provide, I turned to the window that faced precisely towards what remained of the World Trade Center. No need for the daily TV rental since that's all that seemed to on all of the networks 24/7 if not for months. Just throw open the curtains and...

Miracle... my cousin Jeanine and the company with whom she worked were on the very next floor from where one of the planes collided, moved across the Hudson River to Jersey City just a week prior. Are there such things as Guardian Angels? There must be. Ask Jeanine:) She'll tell ya!

Hero... one of my dear and close friends "John the Bus Driver", emerged from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel just as the first tower collapsed. After presuming it either nuclear holocaust or Armageddon, rather than abandon the bus as he was instructed, he proceeded to pick up stranded and helpless men and women wandering the streets aimlessly. They awarded him a citation. I would have given him the key to the city. Heck, how 'bout the keys to the Mayors Ferrari. My man!

Hero... my good buddy Allen, he and his fellow co-workers who are responsible for one of the greatest underground subway systems in the world, immediately left their mid-town location to aid in the rescue and recovery of their fellow workers and New Yorkers. A daunting task that lasted not hours, not days, not weeks nor months but for some years if not eternity. It's not a topic Allen is fond of verbalizing about. I hear that bro.

It is the last two gentleman, that to this day, as do many first responders, encounter upper respiratory difficulty to put it lightly. This is an ongoing tragedy that insurance companies and government budgets seem to have a short term memory about. Don't leave these good, descent people and their families hanging out to dry. Don't let them be the last victims of this horrendous act.

Let's look after those who selflessly come to another human beings aid. That's the least we can do. Ten years have past. Much has changed and as the old saying goes, much has not.

Just one more memory I'd like to share with you before I try to put this dark day to rest. Not shortly afterwards, you couldn't travel a day without passing or encountering in one form

or another one of our fallen heros funerals. We were all mourning them as if they were our own. And they were. Our neighbors, our neighbors children. Their grandsons and daughters. FDNY, NYPD, Port Authority, MTA, United and American Airlines Flight Crews. On and on and on. You would sit in traffic behind a Fire truck decked out in Purple and Black signifying a loss of one of their Engine and or Hook and Ladder Company. You would sit in you car and just weep like a baby. And this went on for months.

But in this case, rather than just one, it may have possibly been the majority of their Company. As it was pertaining to the Fire Houses closest to Downtown Manhattan and not excluding Downtown Brooklyn. These were heros, yes I do not use this term lightly, that due to congestion on the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, ran rather than rode across the bridge to meet their fate. That due to congestion in the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel ran through the tunnel not rode, RAN though the tunnel into danger and not away from it.

Bless them. Bless their families and may we all be at peace and never encounter another day like that ever again.

Thanks for putting up with my ranting, raving and venting. I think I'm about done. If I should decide to post again on this topic, I promise to lighten up:) After all. shouldn't I be writing about Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll?

To be continued, maybe...

Steve Augeri

"Beyond the Clouds" From the Journey Album "Generations"

(Inspired by the events of 9/11)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtIan8pmwXQ

Life As I Knew It Would Never Be The Same

2011-09-09T08:55:00.000-07:00

The phone rang and it was well before noon. That was the golden rule for me while touring, when it came to my family calling me in the morning.Please wait until midday. I answered it with a "mild" attitude as I heard my wife Lydias voice onthe other end of the receiver. She, in a panic, instructed me to turn on the TV and put on CNN. My attitude quickly changed from "Honey, you KNOW never to call me before... to, OMG.

As I recall it was a hotel room like any other, Lansing Michigan I think. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Stale cigarette smoke, picture frames with lousy art screwed into the wall, cheap shampoos and hand soap. An old plate of food aging on the desk. The TV inset into the armoire. But all that disappeared, that moment it was as if I entered the twilight zone.

That was MY city. My family who lived within mere miles of the devastation. They were MY friends who lived within mere blocks of this horror. This was the very ground I used to walk to work and the very building I would marvel at any and every chance I could get. You couldn't help it. They were that "grand" to use an Irish expression.

Later that night we ( Journey and Night Ranger) convinced ourselves it was the right thing to do to. To "Go On With The Show". To try to restore some normalcy to our lives that were now the furthest from that.We felt this because of our audience and audiences through out the tour. To play for the fans, the people. Our People. They deserved it. It ws our final show of the tour, or was it? This is a little fuzzy. But... deep down it was killing me. I was miles away from the ones I loved and they were , in the midst of it all. The center of the worlds attention. NYC, the ultimate target and I was miles away with my hands tied.

No flights obviously, buses trains... forgeddaboutit.

The following morning before the tour buses and band and I said our goodbyes before they made their long eerie trek cross country. I was able, by some small miracle, to secure a car and driver to get me home to Brooklyn. He was a sweet, kind African American gentleman who stood all of 4'10''. Probably late 60's, an ex-convict who owned and drove his own 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Sweet as can be. I'll call him Mr. Clarence for the time being.

Cut to the chase, several hours and $600 later, we're entering Staten Island New York via one of it's many bridges, this one being the Goethals, and all I can see is a plume of smoke coming from the direction of downtown Manhattan. Now it's starting to set in. The light small talk that Mr. Clarence and I were exchanging has now come to a screeching halt. As I type this it's all sadly flooding back to me. Ugh!

Although I knew my immediate family was fine, it was the fear of the unknown. The fear of getting the bad news of an extended family member of friend distant or close. The casual acquaintances were no longer casual. We were all New Yorkers. We were all Americans.

Closer still, crossing the Verrazano Narrows Bridge that connects Staten Island to Brooklyn and now you I have a unobstructed view of ground zero. The towers had disappeared replaced by clouds of dust, smoke and a world of sorrow.It was not the nightmare I prayed it had been. This is all too real. Thank God it won't be long now. Fifteen, twenty minutes tops before I wrap my arms around my wife and son.

This of course was the longest fifteen minutes I can ever recall. The last moments between the bridge and our little two bedroom apartment in Bensonhurst found me witnessing the transformation of a nation. Down every avenue and every street. In front of every home, on each and every "Stoop", storefront and balcony there flew the proud yet recently bruised colors of my country. Not a one was without the flag waving proudly and uniting us in the September breeze. I knew then, from that day forward, life as I knew it would never be the same.

To be continued...

Steve Augeri

P.S. We all have memories of where we were that morning. Please feel free to share them with me. You may feel a little less weight on your heart and shoulders if only for a moment.

BEYOND THE CLOUDS (Inspired by the events of 9/11 and those we've loved and lost)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtIan8pmwXQ

A 911 memory

2011-09-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody,

It's been a while. Lots to say, let's start playing catch up!:)

The year prior to joining Journey, I was working as a "Maintenance Manager" for The GAP here in Manhattan. As some of you may know, one of their many stores was below The World Trade Center, between both towers 1 and 2. I would do monthly visits and during my lunch breaks, would marvel at it's magnificence, it's shear size and beauty.

More than that, it was a city within a city. It was always a treat to rise from the subway station with my tools in one hand, coffee in the other and my neck craned up to witness this awesome site.

This was one of MY connections to the horrible tragedy that would soon occur three years later.

More to come..

I hope you've all been well!

Steve Augeri

P.S. Here's a little tribute to and for that monumental day the earth stood still. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/spirit-america-feat.-steve/id461089021

POTOMAC RECORDS (www.potomacrecords.com) is proud to honor the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 by bringing you Reign of Kings' SPIRIT OF AMERICA, featuring Lead Vocals by Steve Augeri (Journey). The single will be Available on iTunes Tuesday 8/30, as well as all other digital media outlets (iTunes, Amazon.com, Naptster, eMusic...). Commissioned by the Saltwater Soldiers organization, proceeds go to wounded veterans.

Songwriter, Shawn Key (Reign of Kings): "9-11 will forever be remembered as the day that changed America. Tragic loss of life; Loss of innocence. But 9-11 will also be remembered for the courage that first responders showed. America came to together perhaps never like before. Ten years later, Reign of Kings is proud to honor the fallen and their families with Spirit of America. Sung by Steve Augeri (Journey) and chosen by Saltwater Soldiers (saltwatersoldiers.org) as its television theme song, Reign of Kings hopes to touch the hearts of all who listen and remind them that the Spirit of America lives on...forever."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2010-11-25T07:34:00.000-08:00

Good Thanksgiving morning to all,

There's always something to be thankful for. Even when the cupboards bare and the tank's on "E". Usually it's the little things. The everyday things we take for granted. Those are the things that come to mind for me today here in America.

And what better way, then to share the day with family, friends and food. (The original 4F Club) Very "Italian" for an American holiday. Perhaps an Italian stowaway made his or her way onto the Mayflower for that fateful trip to the America's. But, I digress:)

Happy Thanksgiving world.

To you and yours.

Steve

P.S. Cranberry sauce AND Jets Football? It's gonna be a very good day:)

Diamond Angels Show!

2010-11-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Good to be back home after a wonderful few days in sunny south Florida. I was honored to be asked to perform along with none other than Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springstein's E Street Band and Wally Palmer of the hitmaking Romantics. ( It just dawned on me that both Wally and myself are both known for wearing red leather at one time or another.)

The show was so much fun. What a crowd. What a super band, The Temple of Soul. And soulful they were. They really shown (is this past tense for "shine"?) during Clarences set. This is their 4th or 5th time backing me up, but Saturday I got to see the complete picture with "The Big Man", and they were awesome. Wally had the audience eating out of his hand with such hits as "What I like About You" and "Talking In Your Sleep". I did enjoy sneaking on stage and singing BG's with Mr. Palmer on Clarence's, "You're A Friend of Mine". Classic!

Thank you Diamond Angels organization for all that you do with the Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital. I was just recently told of a child whose family is close friends of two of my band mates, and how they had received care from the hospital for their child. Another success story. Another happy ending thanks to the incredible work they do. http://www.diamondangels.org/

Much more to talk about, the release of "RIVERSIDE" on iTunes (http://ax.itunes.apple.com/us/artist/steve-augeri/id5240301) and Amazon.com. The Steve Augeri Band show coming up on Dec. 10th in Philly at Club 23 East. The on going mixing sessions for my CD, "In the Moment". But for now I'll just enjoy the moment and be thankful for what I've got and wish you all a great day and all the happiness in the world.

Did I mention George Hamilton complimented me on MY tan. (Ha!)

Til we meet again,

Steve

Hit Men All Stars

2010-10-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

Hi gang,

Hope you've been well and enjoying autumn. I close my eyes and hear Robert Plant sing "Leaves are fallin' all around..." and Sinatra about his love affair with New York in this most beautiful, transitional season.

Which brings me to a new chapter of my life and a new group of awesome musicians and new friends I've had the honor of working with over the weekend in spectacular Lake Tahoe (Should be the 9th Wonder of the World if I had my say.)

In alphabetical order: Teddy "Zig-Zag" Andreadis / Keys (Guns and Roses, Slash, Alice Cooper)

Billy Burnette / Vocals & Guitar ( Fleetwood Mac)

Jimmy Crespo / Guitar (Aerosmith, Flame)

Gary Moon / Vocals & Bass ( Night Ranger, Three Dog Night)

Mark Slaughter / Vocals & Guitar ( Slaughter, Vinny Vincent Invasion)

Curly Smith / Vocals & Drums ( Boston, Jeff Beck, John Waite, Jo Jo Gun)

Jack Sonni / Vocals & Guitar & Author? "Rock and Rolled"( Dire Straits)

The show is "Jam" packed beginning to end with Classic Rock mega hits and is such a blast to perform with these legendary musicians. They're a great bunch of guys that ring leader Curly Smith has assembled and I'm honored to be part of it.

So, in addition to performing with "The Steve Augeri Band", there will be "Hit Men All Star" shows popping up here and there around the states within the next few months. (Again, if I had my say:)

I'd like to personally thank the folks that made the incredible Journey to Tahoe, braving the wind and rain. We had people travel from Canada, Kansas, even some who tore themselves away from those winnings one-armed badits in the Casino!

In closing, it's only Rock & Roll, all in fun but, on a sadder note, please raise a glass with me and toast the life of a dear, close friend of mine. John "J.B." Crisera. Another victim of public enemy No. 1, Cancer.

John was a Master Plumber by trade, but a King at heart. That heart being the size of a lion. He was a Rock & Roll fan, especially when it came to his boys, KISS and Aerosmith. They were fortunate to have him as their ambassador and champion. Never missed a show. He adored and was adored by his wife and three sons and was a shining example of what all aspire to be. I hope you all have as good a friend in your lives as I have had in John.

Farewell my friend. I'll catch you back stage some day.

Love you all,

Steve

P.S. Mark Slaughter's beautiful song, "Fly With the Angels" has taken on a deeper meaning to me on this sun-drenched Autumn day in my New York.

WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE...WAIT...YES WE ARE!

2010-10-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

Toto, it's true!

Wednesday October 6th, 2010, at approximately 3PM central time, KWKR 99.9 (Western Kansas Rocks), and Mix 94 (.5) Kansas will air and debut my new track "RIVERSIDE". Bless their hearts.

Performing along with me on this song is Adam Holland/Guitar/co-writer, Craig Pullman/Keys/co-writer, Gerard Zappa/Bass and Mike Morales/Drums.

Also appearing on the recording on Background vocals are longtime friend and singing legend Marge Raymond (Flame/Aerosmith/ELO) and newer friend and legend in the making, the golden voice of Nick Lynch.

RIVERSIDE! RIVERSIDE! RIVERSIDE!

... with a song your heart, we'll make love over there, down by the river.

Take care all,

Steve

The Maiden Voyage

2010-09-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

It's the morning after and all I can say is thanks to the folks who traveled from near and far to our just shy of sold out show in Kentucky at the Syndicate last night. It was our maiden voyage but you guys made it feel like we were old friends or at a family reunion. Well, it was actually and we had a blast.

Of course it wasn't without incident. Rental amps that would not cooperate. A monitor system that didn't get sorted out until half way thru the show (Thank God it finally did!). But, that's what it's all about. That's all part of Rock n Roll as well as life. Expect the unexpected. Wish you all could have been there.

I want to say a special thanks and what a great job my new band did. I'm proud to introduce them to you:

On guitar/ Adam Holland

Bass / Gerard Zappa

Keys / Craig Pullman

Drums / Mike Morales

We especially enjoyed playing some new songs and think we have a winner if your reaction was any indication, with a track called "Riverside". We're hoping to wrap up the recording of that one this week and perhaps release it as a first single ASAP. It currently has my good friend Nick Lynch on background vocals but won't be complete until I get Marge Raymond to add her special "thang" to the mix. She's a monster. She's sang with everbody.

So in closing, we're back "Home Again" and thinking of our next outing. Who knows? Maybe it'll be in your home town next. I hope so!

`Til we meet again,

Steve Augeri

P.S. Thanks to promoter Rick Warner, Cincinatti radio's Trish McKinnley and Steve Mann for having me on the air and getting the word out, our great local crew as well as the awesome staff at the Newport Syndicate. What a cool venue. See ya!

It's Good to be "HOME AGAIN".

2010-09-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day weekend all,

I'd like to share a song with you, a taste of things to come from my new unreleased CD, "In The Moment".

It's a song is called "Home Again" and was initially written about visiting my old neighborhood in Bensonhurst Brooklyn. Then later, after many years of touring with Journey, the simple joy of coming home to my loved ones not to mention my own bed.

But today, I can't help but think of the many, although not all of our service men and women, returning home and picking up the pieces after being away so long and how good it must feel to get their boots back on the ground here on Home turf. Back in the USA.

Welcome Home! This Buds for you!

So just click or punch in this link, http://www.steveaugeri.com/, go to the 'Music" page of my website, press stop (the little square) on the bottom right hand side of the page and press play to the left of 'Free Down load Coming Soon".

I hope you like it.

Steve

Home Again

2010-07-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Morning All,

This Saturday July 17th 2010, Journey to the Cure is hosting it's 3rd Annual Sparkle Tie Summer Ball. Sadly, I am unable to perform/attend this year do to my mixing and rehearsal schedule. However, being that "Journey to the Cure" holds a special place in my heart, and these fundraisers are the lifeline that helps keeps this extremely worthwhile Breast Cancer charity alive ... I have donated for auction or raffle, a beautiful pink Apple ipod which contains one of my brand new songs "Home Again", destined for my soon to be released CD, "In the Moment". This is as "one of a kind" as it gets. Along with it comes an autographed lyric sheet and plenty of good vibes.

So, if you find yourself in the Chicagoland area this weekend, (Kankakee, Ill to be exact) be sure to drop in, and tell 'em Stevie sent you. Here's a link to JTTC and the event.

With love,

Steve Augeri

P.S. My good friend Nick Lynch will be performing that night and he is nothing short of fantastic. Have fun!

Steve Augeri Autogrphed T-Shirt Contest

2010-07-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

I am pleased to announce the "Steve Augeri Autographed Concert T-Shirt Contest" . Be the first one on your block to wear my new stylish Concert T-Shirt and be the envy of all your friends:) Here's how we're going to do it.

All I ask you do is please take the time to vote for a charity that is near and dear to my heart. "Journey to the Cure". By doing this you will not only enter your name into a pool of names that will be drawn upon to determine our winner, but... you will also be instrumental in helping us become one of Chase Banks top 200 charities of which Chase will be donating a portion of a whopping One Million dollars!

We are currently #258 and need to be within their top 200. So, with your help, and mine, we can together put us back in the running and make the difference in the life of someone, perhaps some one you know and love who is battling Breast Cancer.

I have included a link to "JTTC"s website www.journeytothecure.com so that you might understand a little bit about what they do and how they do it. These are dedicated, men and women I have had the pleasure of meeting, first through my past affiliation with the band Journey and from there has grown to a one on one relationship with some of the most caring and generous people and organization it is today. From a common bond of music to a community that looks after one another and lends a helping hand when it is needed most.

Please take the time to vote for JTTC and help a Rockstar give an "Autographed" T-Shirt (The 1st of it's kind!) away for crying out loud!

Here's the link to vote at Chase Community Giving: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/201044905-journey-to-the-cure-nfp?src=charity-details-wall-post-self&ref=mf

Thank you and Bless you,

Steve Augeri

P.S. Please hurry. There are only 2 days left to vote!

You Must BE Fracking Kidding Me!

2010-06-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

Greeting Earthlings,

Watched a pretty riveting documentary on HBO by the name of "Gasland". If you haven't seen it yet, check it out. Before they start "fracking" near my water supply, I'm gonna write my congressman to tell them to get the "Frack" Outta there:)

I have been ignorant of this issue up until this week. I don't have all the facts, but, if there's is any truth in what this documentary states, then we need to wake up and regulate the process of harvesting our natural resources (In this case, natural gas). And in a manor that does not jeopardize our health as well as our already suffering environment. All one has to do is turn on the TV, open a newspaper or boot up your computer find see the unfortunate occurrence in the Gulf of Mexico. Forget who's fault it is. Put an end to this disaster then move forward to make sure it don't reoccur. Now, perhaps you are sensitive to this issue because you or people you know make their livelihood from within this industry. I can sympathize with that. There lies our the basis of a good debate. Or perhaps it's pure politics. Not enough hours in the day to talk til we're all blu in the face. We ca agree that wet fix what's broken and live long and prosper like the great pointy eared one said. The Vulcan had it right, for the most part.

In the meantime,eat all your vegetables and respect your elders and tell your kids you love them... even if they give you grief, they're still learning, just like you and me:).

Much Love,

Steve Augeri

Your Fathers Mustache

2010-06-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Fathers of the World Rejoice...

in the splendor of knowing that someday your offspring will indeed throw out the occasional bag of garbage, bring home a report card that's brings a smile to your face, perhaps shovel the path in the snow on that blizzardous day in January.

But above all, as you both share a moment today relaxing by the grill, tall boy in hand, family and friends gathered 'round, hope that you've instilled enough good in the kids to pass it on and taught and shown them a love.

Happy Fathers Day to my Dad, Joe... and to you and yours.

Salute! Now pass the mozzarella!

Steve Augeri

The Gulf War 2

2010-06-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Off to the Farmers Market now for the usual fare. Maybe some fresh veggies and some shrimp.

Shaved off the beard and mustache this morning. It 's good to see I was still under there all this time.

Lost in cards last night. I was never one for gambling.

What's up with the World Cup today?

What's up with our gulf neighbors not to mention the all that good Gulf shrimp? Haven't our poor Southern brothers and sisters suffered enough after all these past years with the hurricanes and our governments mismanagement? Do you mean to tell me someone in their right mind would actually eat something that was swimming in those waters? Let alone someone as intelligent as my President Obama? I don't think so.

Maybe I'll settle for some just the veggies and some KFC in honor of our Southern neighbors. Hang in there. Somethings got to give.

I'll be the last one in line at the "all you can eat" shrimp buffet in Atlantic City this Fathers Day:)

Happy Saturday!

Steve

P.S. Vote for "Journey to the Cure" (Please see link below)

JOURNEY TO THE CURE NFP

We’re asking you to help decide which 200 local charities share $5 million in donations from Chase. ...

An Open Letter to a Champion.

2010-06-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

This is a response to an interesting blog entry of a valued fan and facebook friend.

Just thought I'd share.

Dear Steve,

First, I want to thank you for your support and inclusion of myself, my band mates from Journey, Tall Stories and Tyketto and my music in regards to your programing at your Pirate radio station. I can't say thanks enough.

Secondly, it's not everyday that someone goes to bat for another person in the manner in which you did for me in your recent Blog. It takes courage, conviction, passion and in plain english, and to quote an AC/DC song "Big B---s" to stand up for the under dog.

The public perception of celebrity, no matter big of small is often not what it appears. It is mostly what our media, the PR specialists and spin doctors care to manipulate it and wish it to be on behalf of their clients or their bottom line.

I must however, for the record say that although you may have portrayed me in an extremely favorable light, you may have given Axel the short end of the stick. One he may or may not be deserving of.

Please keep in mind he is a very big target and has been dodging bullets for quite some time. I can't help but think many of them were and are not warranted. I know this from my own experiences. We're all not perfect. We quasi or bona fide celebrities. Perhaps Rock and Rollers if any, should get a pass if only a slight one, when it comes to morality or character for that matter. After all, it was build on the back of Sex, Drugs and ... , well, rebellion, non conformity and certainly not particularly the Ten Commandments. You get the picture. Besides, at the end of the day, all we really want to do is just make music and have a little fun along the way.

So, finally, my point is merely whereas I will graciously accept your generous compliments, I cannot without coming to Mr. Roses defence. After all, he and his compadres, Guns and Roses did give us one of the genres finest moments with "Appetite for Destruction", which in my opinion, at the time, may have single handedly saved Rock and Roll as we know it. Crap, it doesn't get any "realer" than that my man.

So, again, my hats off to you Steve. Cut Axel some slack and thank you very much. Give my regards to the great state of Pennsylvania.

Yours truly,

Steve Augeri

P.S. Please be aware, take care, and if possible take action against Breast Cancer.

Join me at "Journey to the Cure" and above all have yourself checked as well as the one(s) you love.

Steve

Here are a couple of links you may find helpful.

http://www.journeytothecure.com/

JOURNEY TO THE CURE NFP

You're Worth it!

2010-06-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody,

Hope you're all well and enjoying the beautiful day that it is. While all is well in OUR world here's a sad slice of reality that touches all too many of our lives and the people around us. Breast Cancer. Our Moms, our wives, sisters and daughters.

Please be aware, take care, and if possible take action against Breast Cancer.

Join us at "Journey to the Cure" and above all have yourself checked as well as the one(s) you love.

Steve Augeri

P.S. Here are a couple of links you may find helpful.

http://www.journeytothecure.com/

apps.facebook.com

http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunityg...

The Tip of the Iceberg.

2010-06-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

How's everybody?

It is rare when we are touched or shall I say teased by greatness or near greatness for that matter.

Months ago I witnessed, for a moment, one of the horrific award shows that seem to come as hard and fast these days as "reality" shows, which for the record I am not a big fan of... but hey, that's me.

But, on this particular occasion I happened to flick thru the channels to hear some rubbish about the debut of some fantastic new band and how friggin'amazing they were gonna be and just watch this commercial, buy this crap and wash your hair with this B.S. our sponsor is trying to force feed you and, blah, blah, blog.

Well, I must have been distracted by my dog Buckley stealing my pretzels or worst, drinking my frosty cold brew, otherwise I would have changed the channel and all would be status quo... when on comes the revelation "they" were hyping as the next or second coming. Boys and girls, much to my surprise, they've arrived. And I am now, months after the fact, writing you as I am listening to their "The Resistance" CD, that's right. The band is MUSE and I am sold and loving it.

I am not a music critic, don't wish or care to be. Just a music lover. I don't desire to hawk mine or any others music or soap for that matter, but, I must share this with you all who may not have had the pleasure of experiencing their music.

Yes, experience. That's what I'm doing as I confer with my spell check more frequently than I care to admit to. In fact one day I will just let one of these blogiddy-blog tranmissions go thru just to shock you. But, I digress.

The first song I encountered was a catchy little (Actually not "little" in the least) anthem by the name of "Uprising". It got my attention immediately. Melodic, rythmic, intelligent. The band was young, hip and appeared genuine and confident considering the fact that this was their big American debut. Could the Grammy's or Mammies or whatever the @#$%&* I was resistantly watching be right? I dare say yes, but... yes. And... this was just the tip of the Iceberg.

There I was, walking down the aisle of the local Target store ( for those of you outside the US, this is a slightly hipper version of the dreaded Wal-Mart and K-Mart stores. All three of which I would frequent as often as possible on tour. So much that I was eventually dubbed the nickname of "Stevie Walmart" by my always witty and humorous band buddie, Ross Valory.) Anyways, while in search of the perfect tube socks my eyes caught a glimpse of the ever shrinking CD section and I could not resist.

Here I am nearly a week later, and I'm like... hey where my MUSE CD. What pile of clothes or lyrics did I hide it under? Well, from top to bottom , MUSE had my attention and then some. I guess it doesn't hurt that at times they are reminisent or has musical moment that are Queen-ish, yes the band and not the Tina Turner impersonator. Musical is an understatement.

It is reassuring to know that someone out there is making music of this caliber. And I for one am a brand new fan.

I did however come across a video (May or may not be the official video) of perhaps one of my favorite tracks, "The United States of Eurasia" and was less than pleased with the visual content. But, hey. This is America where we do have, and exercise our freedom of speech. Hence my rambling.

If you've got some music that has impressed you lately, please share it with me and the rest of us. I can only listen to my old Led Zeppelin albums just so many times in a week.

So, this music has inspired me to write and there it is. I don't want to tell you all the details as to why I think it's extraordinary, I want you all to have fun finding out for yourselves. It's the Journey right? I can't believe I really wrote that:)

Enjoy, 'til we meet again.

Steve

Back In the Saddle Again

2010-06-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings Rock Fans,

Congratulations to Aerosmith for coming to their senses. They're indeed Back in the saddle again, where they belong.

My admiration for this Mighty Massachusettes Mayhem Machine began around the same time for most rockers my age. Albums like Toys In the Attic, Rocks... masterpieces. The seventies did not suck as much as the Rolling Stones would have liked us to believe. They were a fertile time for music. Everything from the heaviest, hardest of rock to the fusion/art rock was top shelf and got 5 star reviews from me. Yes, I even welcomed the Punk, New Wave and Pop music of that decade. Oh, not excluding some Disco as well. ( I did grow up in the heart of Saturday Night Fever Land, literally. There was no escaping it. Another time for that)

And now, after threatening a break-up or worst, the replacement of an impossible to replace Steve Tyler, our "last children" are at last regrouped and heading out again on the "Cock-Blocked and Ready to Rock" or something of that nature Tour. I for one am glad they are. For the record, if there were ever a voice that could step in if only temporarily for Steven, it would belong to Paulie Z of the band Z02. He's got the chops to do Mr. T some justice, that being said... no one can compare to Steven Tyler's frontman abilities. He's a, if not THE master and co-wrote the book on the subject. Enuff on that matter. But, check out Z02s music and tell me if I'm not right or completely insane.

As a struggling musician (Is there any other kind?) I once had the honor of sitting across from Steven Tyler in at the time, both of our managers office. His name was David Krebbs ( of Leber and Krebbs) and David was good enough to sit in on a meeting of mine and helped critic some demos I was presenting to David. I'll never forget how he took the time to listen and break down some of the songs and added his constructive criticism. Of which I went back to my band, at the time we were called The Great Divide, and used most of his arrangement ideas. Wow, Steven Tyler took the time to help a little nobody like me. I was floored and smitten.

So you see, I cheer for the return of "The Smith". His little gesture went a long way with this punk kid from Brooklyn who was trying to make his way in the Rock and Roll world that is all to filled with "Go away kid, don't bother me's" or "I'm too busy' maybe next times'.

All Hail Beantown and their most glorious contribution to this art form we call Rock and Roll. We salute you! Fire!

'Til we meet again,

Steve

P.S. Three cheers for my web designer, Alex Rabe, "The Green Monstah", for an awesome job on my new site. Boston's on a roll... don't tell the Red Sox.

The Purple Gang.

2010-06-03T05:54:00.000-07:00

Morning to all,

Last night I was feeling nostalgic and listened to some music from my formative years. We all do. I know my parents did, sometimes to a fault. Usually not.

Last nights excursion down memory lane was with the legendary Deep Purple. Not a stiff in the line up. Each having a musical personality that stood up to each other and made a concrete strong statement.

I may have first heard Ian Gillian on the Jesus Christ Superstar original cast album. I'm really not clear about that. But I am clear that when he sang it spoke to me and blew me down.

That being said... (Sorry Larry David) last night I had the second coming of Purle on my mind. Yes, the Coverdale/Hughes years. Where did they find these guys? My "Dynamic Duo". That must be an interesting story. Well, I was, as well as my musical appetite, just glad they did. Burn and Stormbringer were most influential to my musical education during the 70's. They showed, I thought, some different colors of the band and perhaps some different layers of Mr. Blackmore that we hadn't seen earlier. I miss him sorely. No offense to Steve Morse. That's life. It's like the Perry thing.

Anyway, I'll be looking for my old vinyl slabs of both records in question today so that I might transport myself back in a time when Aerosmith, Queen, Led Zepplin and the like rules the roost and all was right with the world. Of course, what to where to the prom?:)

Have a Purple day,

Steve

P.S. Who sings better the Glen F-ing Hughes I ask you? Forgettaboutit!

Oh, you can bet it was Deep Purple alright. Now, I was an Ian Gillian fan from day one but, when I heard the Coverdale/Hughes lie-up I was sold. For me, Burn and Stormbringer spoke to me in volumes. Just something personal. My opinion. As for Ritchie Blackmore... I miss hearing the sound of his Strat thru his Marshall like only he was able to deliever. The Godfather of his genre for sure. Ritchie had layers.

2010-06-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

Morning all.

Today, I blow off the mechanic once again so as I can partake in highly caffeinated double espressos and rhythm guitars. I am a "Slave to the Rhythm". Hand in hand like love and marriage (Sinatra said it best).

"Plug in man" (Nick Cirrillo"

Later,

Steve

2010-05-31T06:33:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody,

Although this is a "soft" launch for my new website (More fanfare when we get a free downloadable song up shortly), it's no small coincidence that it`s also coincides with the return and revitalization of Coney Island, here in Brooklyn, New York. This historic spot here in South Brooklyn (I am a Southern Boy) was instrumental in my upbringing and part of my very DNA. Not only is it home of the Original Nathan`s Famous Hot Dogs but also boasts the World Famous Cyclone Roller Coaster.

I may have spent more time daydreaming there then in the class rooms of NYCs fine educational institutions. Welcome back Coney Island and hello to you all again.

So, have a great day. Raise a glass in remembrance and appreciation of our brave and courageous men and women in uniform.

`til we meet again,

Steve

New Website and Blog from Steve Augeri!

2010-05-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

Hey this is Steve, welcome to my new blog and website! Please check in with me here to find out what I'm up to, where I'll be performing and to hear and download new songs from my upcoming solo album before it hits the shelves.

I'm excited to share my thoughts with you and please make sure to share yours with me. Talk to you soon!

Peace and love--SA